Closure for bottles and jars and method of making the same



Nov. 28, 1939. H, R'ECCLESTON 2,181,179

CLOSURE FOR BOTTLES AND JARS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed June 27, 1952 r[7oz/Jara R. Ec clels'ioiz PaiemedNg-v. l2s,v 1939 'Y 'UNITE-o STATES PATENT-OFFICE CLOSURE FOR BOTTLES AND JARS AND METHOD OF SAME Howard R.. Eccleston, Washington, D40., assignor to Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, -Wheelingg W. Va., a corporation of lWest Virginia Application June 27, 1932, serialxNo. 619,573

23 claims. (c1. 11S- 121)v Metallic closures which are turned intosealing4 position on the bottle,l jar, or other container, are of twovarieties, known inthe trade'as the continuous `thread cap and the lug cap. Each of which has its exterior entirely smooth through- The molded cap has, of course, a far more pleasing appearancelthan the old continuous thread cap or the old lug cap; but the molded'cap lacks certain practical advantages of the metallic caps, and is also much more expensive than the metallic caps.- Accordingly, since the molded capV came intogeneral use, it hasbecome important lin the metallic cap industry to produce caps which 2 will have the-attractive appearance of the molded cap Vbut which will at the same time possess the practical-advantages of 'the metallic cap.

Prior to the present invention the demand for 30 such a metal cap has been answered vby what is commonly known as the double-shell cap. Such capconsists of a smooth outside shell placed over an inner shell which is threaded; the two shells being secured together against relative rotation. ,This double-shell vmetallic cap does possess 'both 35 the pleasingappearance .of the molded cap and the practical advantages of. the metallic cap. The disadvantage of the double-shell cap is that it is considerably more expensive than the ordinary turn-.on'cap of either the continuous thread or the molded cap.

Prior' to the present invention there has not been produced any practical single shell cap-which is turned into sealing position and which possesses M the attractive appearance of the molded cap. The main object of the present invention is to provide such a cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a` The present invention possesses numerous other advantages which will be apparent to those skilled lug type, although it is much less expensive than l- 3 having been f01`med,'the lugs 4 are 110WA struck in the art-from the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing; in which, l

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the cap. Figure 2 is a `view similar to Figure 1, but with 5 the exteriorv entirely plain.

Figure 3 is a perspective View of the cap from.

lbelow.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through the inturned bead.

Figure 5 is a view similar to `Figure 4, but with the section being taken'throu'gh the lugs.

Referringgto the drawing in more detail, numeral I refers to the top of the cap, from which depends the usualskirt ,2. This skirt may be decorated with knurls, as shown in. Figurel, or

may be entirely plain as shownin the other'gures. Of course the cap is provided with the usual liner (not shown), when desired.

In the old and well known commercial lug cap` the lower portion of the skirt is curled outwardly and upwardly to form an exterior bead at the bottom of the cap, and portions of such bead Were deformed to form lugs. In such type of cap the appearance was marred both by the exterior bead and by the deformed portions of the bead which formed the lugs. yIn a modified form of this old lug cap the portions of the bead which were deformed were-also pushed inwardly, so that portions` of the beady were on the outside of the skirt and other portions were on the inside thereof. While this may have improved the cap from a practical standpoint it obviously did not improve the appearance thereof. v

In accordancev with the present invention the lower portion of the skirt is curled inwardly and upwardly,- as indicated by numeral 3, so that the bead is entirely hidden from View, and the lower edge of the cap presents the smooth rounded appearance of the molded cap. The inturned bead 40 from this bead. In the specific embodiment illustrated, four lugs are employed, but of course the number and size of the lugs are varied as desired. These lugs are so positioned that they are entirely hidden from view, and the portions of the bottom edge kof the cap beneath the lugs retain exactly the same smooth rounded appearance as the remainder of theedge of the cap, so that the cap, when decorated, simulates the appearance of the molded cap in every respect, and yet retains all the advantages of the metallicA cap. And, of course, the cost of production of this cap is much less than ,that of the double-shell cap mentioned hereinbefore, which is itself Amuch less expensive than the molded cap. So that the present invention provides, for the first time, a practical single shell metallic cap which is turned into sealing position on a container, and which by having its 5 entire outer surface smooth and plain, and by hiding from view both the bead and locking lugs, exactly simulates a molded cap, but retains all the advantages of the metallic cap and is far less expensive than either the molded cap or the double-shell metallic cap.

The prior patented art, as distinguished from the prior commercial art, does contain some suggestions of single shell turn-on caps of both the continuous thread and lug type, which are supposed to present a plain exterior; but in every instance the proposed construction is either impractical in manufacture or the exterior is deformed to some extent, and in some instances the suggested constructions possess both of these fatal defects. One of the prior patents (Hardiman, No.

l 1,810,706, June 16, 1931) does suggest that' the lower portion of the cap be turned inward to form an interior bead, but it does not suggest that lugs be struck from such interior bead. On the contrary, it suggests that after the interior bead has been formed, all of it be 'flattened except several portions which are left normal, and these normal portions are supposed to function as lugs. In the first place, it is apparent that such a construction is not practical, for there would be an entire lack of uniformity in lugs formed in any such negative manner, and, of course, the uniformity of the lugs is of prime importance; and, in the second place, the appearance of the exterior of the cap is necessarily different where the bead is iiattened from where the bead is left normal, as the patent plainly shows. Unless the exterior of the cap is entirely free of any deformation, it does not simulate a molded cap and is not an advance over the old lug cap or old continuous thread cap. As indicated hereinbefore, the single shell cap constituting the present invention is entirely free of any exterior deformation.

The specific embodiment disclosed herein may be changed or modified in various respects without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A lug cap comprising a top and a downwardly depending skirt having a uniformly cylindrical external lower end terminating in an inwardly rolled portion, the cross-sectional arcuate curve ofthe roll between the cylindrical portion of the skirt and the locus of substantially lowermost points on the rolled portion being substantially constant at all points around the circumference of the skirt, the cross sectional curve of said roll from said locus inwardly of the cap being struck on different radii at different points around the circumference of the skirt, whereby certain portions of the roll project inwardly more than other portions and form locking lugs.

2. A lug cap comprising a top, and a downwardly depending uniformly cylindrical skirt terminating in an inwardly rolled portion, the crosssectional arcuate curve of the roll between the cylindrical portion of said skirt and the substantially lowermost point on the rolled vportion being substantially constant at all points around the circumference of the skirt, the cross-sectional,

inner curve of said roll from said lowermost point inwardly of the cap being substantially equal to said first-mentioned curve except at spaced points where said inner curve isstruck on a longer radius, to form inwardly projecting locking lugs at said spaced points. 5

' 3. A lug cap comprising a top, and a downwardly depending uniformly cylindrical skirt terminating in an inwardly rolled portion, the crosssectional arcuate curve of the roll between the cylindrical portion of said skirt and the substan- 10 tially lowermost point on the rolled portion being substantially constant at all points around the vcircumference of the skirt, the cross-sectional inner curve of said roll from said lowermost point inwardly of the cap being substantially equal to 15 said first-mentioned curve except at spaced points where said inner curve is struck on a path substantially flattened radially as compared to the curve of the remaining inner portion to form inwardly projecting locking lugs at said spaced 20 points.

4. A lug cap comprising a top, and a downwardly depending uniformly cylindrical skirt terminating in an inwardly rolled portion around the entire circumference of the skirt, the cross- 25 sectional arcuate curve of the roll between the straight cylindrical portion of said skirt and the lowermost point on the rolled portion being substantially constant at all points around the circumference of the skirt, the cross-sectional curve 30 of said roll from said lowermost point inwardly of the cap being struck on a longer radius than said first-mentioned curve at spaced points around the skirt to form inwardly projecting locking lugs at said points. 3,15

5. A lug cap comprising a top, and a downwardly depending uniformly cylindrical skirt terminating in an inwardly rolled bead around the entire circumference of the skirt, each point on the lowermost edge of said bead lying in a plane 40 parallel to said top, whereby said cap skirt presents a uniform smooth lower edge, the crosssectional curve of the inner portion of the bead being struck on different radii at different points, the portions on the larger radii forming locking 45 lugs.

6. A lug cap comprising a top, a downwardly depending uniformly cylindrical skirt terminating in a portion rolled inwardly beyond the cylindrical skirt and extending continuously around 50 the entire circumference of the skirt, the crosssectional arcuate curve of the roll between the straight skirt portion and the lowermost point on the roll portion being substantially constant at all points around the circumference of the 55 skirt, the cross-sectional shape of the continuously extending, inner portion of the roll being different on different axial planes, said inner portion of the roll forming locking lugs at spaced points. 60

7. A lug cap comprising a top and a downwardly depending cylindrical skirt terminating in a continuous inwardly rolled portion extending inwardly beyond the cylindrical portion of 65 the skirt around the entire circumference'thereof, the cross-sectional arcuate curve of the roll between the cylindrical portion of said skirt and the locus of substantially lowermost points on the rolled portion being substantially constant at all points around the entire circumference of the skirt, whereby said cap presents a uniform exterior surface at its lower edge, the continuous rolled portion, inwardly of the lower edge being provided with locking projections, each of said y and disposed interiorly thereof *and shaped 'at spaced points to present inwardly projecting, convexly rounded locking'lugs for engagement with a thread on said receptacle', said bead and said lugs being normally .hidden from View by said skirt, the lower edge ofsaid skirt which mergeswith said bead being uniform throughout the entire circumference of the cap, and being' undeformed by the pressure of said lugs.

9. A lug cap comprising a top, depending cylindrical skirt, and a continuous, vrolledfbead at the lower edge of said skirt extending inwardly around the inner periphery thereof, tl'ie'cross-v sectional curve of said bead between the cylindrical skirt portion and the' locus of substantially lowermost points on said bead being constant at all points, the cross-sectional curve of that portion of said continuous bead disposed interiorlyof said locus being different at differing points along said bead to form inwardly projecting lockl l upon which it is mounted.

10. A closure cap for receptacles, comprising a H top, a cylindrical skirt depending therefrom, an

inwardly and upwardly rolled bead at the lower edge of said skirt extending around the entire circumference and dispos-ed interiorly. thereof and shaped at spaced points circumferentially in its rolled portion to present inwardly projecting rounded locking klugs `for engagement' with a thread on'said receptacle, said bead and said lugs being normally hidden from view, by said skirt, the lower edge of said skirt which merges with said` bead being uniform throughout -the entire circumference of the c-ap, and being undeformed by the presence of said lugs. 1

11. A lug capcomprising atop and a downwardly depending cylindrical skirt terminating in an inwardly fand upwardly rolled portion eX- tending entirely" around the inner periphery` thereof, the cross-sectional curve of the roll between the cylindrical portion of the skirt and the locus of substantially lowermo'st points on the-rolled portion being substantially constant atall points around the circumference of the skirt, whereby said cap presents a uniform -exterior surface vat itslower edge, and the upwardly rolled portion being provided inwardly of-the lower edge at spacedpoints in its circumference with locking projections, each of said projections presenting a thread engaging surface which is rounded circumferentially of the skirt.

12. The method of making a closure capfrom a blank having a top and a substantially cylindrical flange terminating in a free edge, which comprises the steps of curling the free edge of the deforming the bead to produceat circumferen- -with rounded edges.

tially spaced points labout the" cap Vflattened in- Awardly projecting double thickness lugs with rounded edges. v

14. The methodf,l of forming metal lug caps which comprises turning the lower portion of the skirt inwardly, upwardly and outwardly to forma beadv of substantially uniform cross-sectional,

curvature between the bottom of the bead and the. cap skirt throughout the circumference vof the skirt, and deforming the bead to produce at circumferentially spaced points vaboutpthe cap flattened inwardly projecting ldouble thickness lugs A15'. A lug cap comprising a to aand a downwardly depending uniformly cylindrical skirtter-` .,minating'in'a bead having the metal'turned inwardly, upwardly v.and outwardly, the cross-secA tional curve of the bead betweenv the straight skirt portion and the 'lowermost point onl the bead being substantially constant at all points around the circumference of the skirt, concealed locking lugs-at circumferentially spaced points about the cap, said lugs formed of the metal of the beadA flattened upon itself, whereby the lugs are of double thickness and with the raw edge of the metal-unexposed to contact with the container 16.-'A lug cap' comprising a top and a downwardly depending Auniformly cylindrical yskirt terminating-n a bead having the metal turned intional curve of the bead between the straight skirt portion and the lowermost point of the bead being' substantially constant at all points around vthe circumference of the skirt, concealed locking `lugs at circumferentially spaced points about the 1 ness lugs being inclined upwardly toward the top of the cap. n

17. In a cap closure having an annular skirt,

a base rim thereon extending inwardly and prov viding a continuously uniform unbroken exterior surface around the bottom of said skirt, said base rim being extended upwardly within said skirt-A around the entire circumference of said rim, inwardly projecting locking lugs carried bysaid vbase rim within said skirt, the base of each'lu'g a-base rim thereon turned inwardly and vupwardly from thelower edge ofthe skirt around the circumference thereof, said rim lying entirely within the interior` of the cap, said base rimv be ing flattened upon itself at points-in its circumference to produce inwardly extending double- I thickness locking lugs at said points, portions of said rim extending upwardly above thebottoms of said lugs .and merging with said lugs.

19. In a cap closure having an annular skirt, a

` base rim thereon extending inwardly andpro'- viding aA continucisly uniform. unbroken exterior surface around the bottomof said skirt, said base rim being extended upwardly within said skirt around the entire circumference of saidY rim, said" base rim being flattened upon itself at points in its circumference to produceinwardly projecting double-thickness locking lugs at said points.

3o i' wardly, upwardly and outwardly, the cross-'sec- 20. In a cap closure having an annular skirt, a base rim turned inwardly and upwardly from the lower edge of said skirt and extending around the circumference of the skirt, the upwardly extending portion of said rim being spaced inwardly from said skirt and being of substantially uniform height throughout substantially the entire circumference of said'rim, said rim having por- 'tions projecting inwardly with respect to the skirt at spaced points in its circumference to form inwardly projecting locking lugs at said points, said lugs including parts of said upwardly extending portion of said rim, other parts of said upwardly extending portion of said rim projecting between said lugs and merging with the tops of the lugs.

2l. A single shell lug `cap including a top and a skirt, a bead formed at the bottom of the skirt and comprising an inwardly turned portion extending around the circumference of th-e skirt and a portion extending upwardly from said inwardly turned portion around the circumference of said skirt, said bead also comprising a raw edge entirely within the interior of the cap, said bead being shaped at spacedpoints in its circumference to produc-e at said points substantially flat double-thickness inwardly extending locking lugs.

22. As an article of manufacture, a closure cap having a depending skirt with the base thereof having portions extending inwardly, upwardly, and downwardly throughout the circumference or" the cap to form a double-thickness metal rim at the bottom of the skirt, and a second doublethickness metal rim above the bottom of the skirt with the downwardly extending raw edge enclosed between the inside of the skirt and the aforesaid upwardly extending portion, said upwardly and downwardly extending portions being deformed with respect to said skirt at spaced points in their circumference to provide inwardly projecting double-thickness lugs at said points, said lugs being adapted to engage the lower side of a container thread or projection, the doublethickness metal forming the lugs being edgewise disposed to the forces pulling the cap down on the container to increase the strength of the lugs and to prevent the lugs from riding over the threads or projections on the container when the cap is screwed thereon.

23. The method of making a closure cap from a blank having a top and a substantially cylindrical flange terminating in a free edge, which cornprises the steps of c-urling the free edge of the ange radially inwardly and upwardly to form a continuous bead around the circumference of said iiange, applying a force to circumferentially spaced portions of the bead to decrease the cur- Vature thereof and thereby projecting said circumferentially spaced portions radially inwardly beyond the adjacent curled bead portions to form locking lugs for said closure cap.

HOWARD R. ECCLESTON. 

